Why Were The Conservatives Under Major So Badly Defeated in 1997? Flashcards
What were Majors three main problems when he became prime minister?
He lacked authority
Conservatives were divided about Britain’s role in Europe
The Labour Party were revitalised under New Labour
Why did Conservatives vote him prime minister?
Many did not want to vote Heseltime, whom they blamed for engineering the fall of Thatcher
Thatcher’s supporters voted for him because she appeared to mark him as her successor
He was affable, reliable and conscientious, which appealed to many MPs who had become tired of Thatcher’s attitude
Why did Major lack authority as prime minister?
He had limited experience, being an MP since 1979 and a cabinet memory since 1987, he was uncharismatic, with his small majority eventually slashed to 21 seats, MPs who disagreed with his polices could threaten him with defeat in parliament, by-elections would threaten an already small majority
What happened in September 1992 due to measures to curb inflation?
The British economy went into depression, the pound fell sharply in value as international bakers sold, Major and his chancellor, Norman Lamar, tried to unsuccessfully sustain the pound value by pushing up interest rates and getting the Bank of England to buy pounds
On 16th September, with later become known as ‘black Wednesday’, Britain withdrew from the ERM
Who challenged major to a leadership election in 1995?
John Redwood
What was extreme popular among voters in the 1990s?
New Labour
What was the 1997 general election result?
Conservatives: 30.7% of votes, 9,590,916 votes, 165 seats
Labour: 43,2% of votes 13,518,184 votes, 418 seats
Liberal-Democrats: 16.8% of votes, 5,242,517 votes, 46 seats
Why did Labour win in 1997?
Blair’s youth and optimism appealed to voters
It’s media presentation was slick and effective
Blair’s reform of Clause IV and wooing of busmen and media tycoons
